An Eighth Shot of Espresso: Coffee and Creativity on Mum's Third Shift

gratitude for  the little things in life  fifteen minutes of quiet  enough to savor  a cup of tea  in the middle  of a busy morning given all the kinds of alternatives  I don't take this  for granted anymore. But I choose what are the most cherished in my life instead of someone yelling in my ear why I should be grateful

Some pirates are gentlemen  others are rogues  still others somewhere  in between  brigands and privateers agents of the queen muskets and cutlasses peg legs and eyepatches the plunder on the open seas  cannon broadsides on port and starboard gone are the days  riches and glory three hundred or so years  too late

Hold it steady  branch over river  help your fellow man  when the dam bursts  and the flood  makes the water rise  to dangerous levels  or will you simply  leave the others  to their fates? As the sound  of rushing water grows louder and louder the dirt under your feet softens into slippery mud the cries of your fellow man as they flounder within the rough currents will you stay there as long as possible?

a dashing prince  shows up at court  charms all who sees him  the ladies twitter and they simper over such a handsome man the princess looks  with curiosity  but she is not fooled  she sees through  his dazzling manner  to see insecurity deep within

The weather cools  the leaves turn  an autumnal change  The various festivals  cider and mead  apples and pumpkins  drink hot chocolate chestnuts and squash roast the new corn I love this time of year  the air is cool and dry  and my soul is at peace

It pays to be cautious  but not cowardly  there is a fine line  It pays to be bold  but not overbearing  there is a fine line  It pays to be kind  but not a doormat  there is a fine line It pays to be discerning but not too judgmental there is a fine line It pays to be loving but not a bleeding heart there is a fine line